PeopleHive Consultancy
PeopleHive is partnering with Solely — Fast Company’s #2 Most Innovative Company in the World – on a Brand Manager search. Our client is a mission-driven CPG brand scaling radically simple, organic fruit snacks from farm to shelf, and they need a strategic brand leader to drive growth and innovation. Solely (https://solely.com/)
Love owning end-to-end brand strategy – from consumer insights to innovation launches to influencer campaigns?
Energized by building brands consumers crave while driving measurable business results?
Thrive at the intersection of creativity and analytics, balancing storytelling with ROI?
This isn’t a back-office marketing role. You’ll own brand strategy, budget management, innovation commercialization, and influencer leadership while partnering across Sales, R&D, Supply Chain, and Customer Success. High visibility, high impact, high autonomy, perfect for someone who combines strategic thinking with execution excellence and thrives in lean, fast-paced startups.
WHAT MAKES THIS ROLE UNIQUE
Full P&L Ownership:
You’ll have real brand ownership with budget authority and strategic decision-making power
Farm to Shelf Integration:
Work directly with our Latin America farms and understand our vertically integrated supply chain from crop to consumer
Innovation at Speed:
Lead product innovation in a lean environment where you can test, learn, and scale quickly without layers of bureaucracy
Direct Leadership Access:
Regular touchpoints with VP Marketing and C-suite
Build What’s Missing:
You’ll have the autonomy to create systems, tools, and processes that don’t exist yet as we scale
Mission-Driven Impact:
Every decision you make connects to reshaping how people think about snacking and food transparency
THE ROLE IN DETAIL As Brand Manager, you’ll own strategy, execution, and results for the Solely brand with full brand responsibility spanning consumer insights, innovation pipeline, budget management, integrated marketing leadership, and influencer strategy. You’ll be the bridge between strategic thinking and flawless execution, equally comfortable analyzing Nielsen data and briefing creative agencies.
Brand Strategy & Budget Management
Own brand strategy, positioning, and annual brand plan for assigned categories
Manage marketing budgets (six figures ), ensuring efficient investment and measurable ROI across channels (digital, influencer, retail activation, PR, events)
Translate consumer and category insights into strategies that drive brand growth and long-term equity
Track brand health metrics (awareness, consideration, purchase intent, household penetration) and adjust strategy based on performance data
Build business cases that connect brand-building activities to revenue impact and present to leadership
Innovation & Commercialization
Lead end-to-end innovation pipeline: concept development, consumer testing, business case creation, cross-functional commercialization, launch execution, and post-launch tracking
Partner with R&D, Operations, and Supply Chain to bring new products from idea to shelf—you’ll own the timeline, the business case, and the go-to-market strategy
Identify and evaluate innovative partners (co-packers, ingredient suppliers, technology partners) that can enhance brand growth and help us stay ahead
Manage innovation timelines, budgets, and cross-functional workstreams
Own post-launch analysis: Did it work? Why or why not? What do we do next?
Communications & Influencer Leadership
Lead agency partners (creative, PR, digital) to deliver breakthrough brand communications across all channels
Own Solely’s influencer strategy and execution—from identifying partners to managing content creation, negotiating partnerships, and measuring impact (reach, engagement, conversion, sales lift)
Develop integrated campaigns that connect brand storytelling with business objectives—ensuring every dollar spent ladders up to growth
Manage creative briefs, campaign calendars, and content production workflows
Stay ahead of social and cultural trends to keep Solely relevant and resonant with evolving consumer expectations
Sales & Trade Support
Partner with Sales to create compelling, fact-based selling stories rooted in consumer and category insights—the decks and tools that help us win at retail
Provide marketing tools, presentations, and assets to support retail growth and customer engagement
Translate brand strategy into sell-in materials that resonate with retail buyers at Whole Foods, Target, Kroger, and beyond
Support trade shows, customer presentations, and retailer-specific activations
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with Customer Success, Field Marketing, and Shopper Marketing to deliver cohesive brand activations and in-store excellence
Collaborate with Finance and Leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning
Lead cross-functional project teams with accountability and alignment (even without direct authority)
Act as the voice of the consumer and brand guardian across all internal stakeholders
Consumer & Market Insights
Own the consumer and category insight agenda, leveraging Nielsen/IRI/SPINS, custom research, retailer data, and brand health trackers
Translate syndicated data and consumer research into actionable strategies for innovation, brand building, and retail execution
Identify category trends, whitespace opportunities, and competitive threats—then build strategies to capitalize or defend
Build and maintain dashboards that track brand performance, category dynamics, and competitive activity
Commission and interpret custom research (concept testing, usage & attitude studies, brand tracking) to de-risk decisions
Team Leadership
Manage, mentor, and develop a Marketing Assistant
Provide leadership to cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment and accountability
WHO YOU ARE Required Qualifications:
5-7 years of CPG marketing or brand management experience (we want someone who understands retail velocity, trade spend, and category dynamics)
Proven track record of leading brand strategy, innovation launches, influencer campaigns, and integrated marketing
Strong analytical skills with experience using syndicated data (Nielsen, IRI, SPINS) to drive decisions
Budget management experience required – you know how to allocate spend and when to pull back or double down
Demonstrated leadership and people management experience (direct reports or leading cross-functional teams)
Exceptional communication, storytelling, and presentation skills
Passion for food, wellness, and building brands with purpose
Preferred Attributes:
MBA preferred but not required if you have equivalent experience
Bilingual (English/Spanish) due to manufacturing partnerships in Latin America
Experience with natural/organic food brands or emerging CPG companies
Large and small company experience—you’ve seen what “good” looks like at scale but can build scrappily
Startup or high-growth environment experience
Digital and social media savvy
Passion for Solely’s mission and product (bonus if you’re already a customer!)
Personality & Work Style:
Strategic thinker with execution excellence: You can craft the vision AND roll up your sleeves to get it done
Consumer-centric: You start with consumer insights and let that guide all decisions — you’re obsessed with understanding the “why” behind behavior
Results-driven: You set ambitious goals and hold yourself accountable to delivering them
Collaborative and influential: You build relationships, manage up, and lead without authority
Adaptable and resilient: You pivot quickly when things change and stay focused on what matters most
Detail-oriented with urgency: You balance speed and quality
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE First 100 Days
You’ve built trust with cross-functional partners by delivering on commitments and being responsive
You’ve taken ownership of the brand plan and identified 2-3 quick wins or optimizations
You’ve established strong relationships with agency partners and set clear expectations around deliverables, timelines, and communication
You’ve reviewed the innovation pipeline and identified opportunities to accelerate, pause, or course-correct based on consumer insights and business priorities
You’ve built rapport with your Marketing Assistant and established a working rhythm
First Year
Brand performance metrics (velocity, market share, household penetration, repeat rate) are trending positively
You’ve successfully launched at least one innovation with measurable retail and consumer success
Your influencer strategy is driving measurable brand awareness and engagement
Marketing ROI has improved, and you’re trusted as the strategic voice of the brand
Your Marketing Assistant is growing under your leadership and taking on more responsibility
Leadership relies on your insights to make strategic decisions about the brand’s future
WHAT WE OFFER Compensation & Benefits:
Base salary: $120,000 – $125,000 (commensurate with experience)
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
Competitive paid parental leave policy—we support families
Why Solely:
Mission-driven work: Join a brand reshaping how the world snacks with radical transparency, no BS, just fruit
High impact: Your work directly influences brand equity, revenue, and consumer loyalty
Growth opportunity: Scale with a fast-growing national brand
Entrepreneurial culture: Own your work, move fast, and see results
Passionate team: Work with people who care deeply about food innovation and sustainability
Learn and grow: You’ll be stretched in the best way
Work Environment:
Hybrid (La Jolla HQ) OR remote in Southern California with bi-monthly travel to La Jolla
Fast-paced startup culture with high expectations and high autonomy
Collaborative team that values diverse perspectives and bold ideas
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Love owning end-to-end brand strategy – from consumer insights to innovation launches to influencer campaigns?
Energized by building brands consumers crave while driving measurable business results?
Thrive at the intersection of creativity and analytics, balancing storytelling with ROI?
This isn’t a back-office marketing role. You’ll own brand strategy, budget management, innovation commercialization, and influencer leadership while partnering across Sales, R&D, Supply Chain, and Customer Success. High visibility, high impact, high autonomy, perfect for someone who combines strategic thinking with execution excellence and thrives in lean, fast-paced startups.
WHAT MAKES THIS ROLE UNIQUE
Full P&L Ownership:
You’ll have real brand ownership with budget authority and strategic decision-making power
Farm to Shelf Integration:
Work directly with our Latin America farms and understand our vertically integrated supply chain from crop to consumer
Innovation at Speed:
Lead product innovation in a lean environment where you can test, learn, and scale quickly without layers of bureaucracy
Direct Leadership Access:
Regular touchpoints with VP Marketing and C-suite
Build What’s Missing:
You’ll have the autonomy to create systems, tools, and processes that don’t exist yet as we scale
Mission-Driven Impact:
Every decision you make connects to reshaping how people think about snacking and food transparency
THE ROLE IN DETAIL As Brand Manager, you’ll own strategy, execution, and results for the Solely brand with full brand responsibility spanning consumer insights, innovation pipeline, budget management, integrated marketing leadership, and influencer strategy. You’ll be the bridge between strategic thinking and flawless execution, equally comfortable analyzing Nielsen data and briefing creative agencies.
Brand Strategy & Budget Management
Own brand strategy, positioning, and annual brand plan for assigned categories
Manage marketing budgets (six figures ), ensuring efficient investment and measurable ROI across channels (digital, influencer, retail activation, PR, events)
Translate consumer and category insights into strategies that drive brand growth and long-term equity
Track brand health metrics (awareness, consideration, purchase intent, household penetration) and adjust strategy based on performance data
Build business cases that connect brand-building activities to revenue impact and present to leadership
Innovation & Commercialization
Lead end-to-end innovation pipeline: concept development, consumer testing, business case creation, cross-functional commercialization, launch execution, and post-launch tracking
Partner with R&D, Operations, and Supply Chain to bring new products from idea to shelf—you’ll own the timeline, the business case, and the go-to-market strategy
Identify and evaluate innovative partners (co-packers, ingredient suppliers, technology partners) that can enhance brand growth and help us stay ahead
Manage innovation timelines, budgets, and cross-functional workstreams
Own post-launch analysis: Did it work? Why or why not? What do we do next?
Communications & Influencer Leadership
Lead agency partners (creative, PR, digital) to deliver breakthrough brand communications across all channels
Own Solely’s influencer strategy and execution—from identifying partners to managing content creation, negotiating partnerships, and measuring impact (reach, engagement, conversion, sales lift)
Develop integrated campaigns that connect brand storytelling with business objectives—ensuring every dollar spent ladders up to growth
Manage creative briefs, campaign calendars, and content production workflows
Stay ahead of social and cultural trends to keep Solely relevant and resonant with evolving consumer expectations
Sales & Trade Support
Partner with Sales to create compelling, fact-based selling stories rooted in consumer and category insights—the decks and tools that help us win at retail
Provide marketing tools, presentations, and assets to support retail growth and customer engagement
Translate brand strategy into sell-in materials that resonate with retail buyers at Whole Foods, Target, Kroger, and beyond
Support trade shows, customer presentations, and retailer-specific activations
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with Customer Success, Field Marketing, and Shopper Marketing to deliver cohesive brand activations and in-store excellence
Collaborate with Finance and Leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning
Lead cross-functional project teams with accountability and alignment (even without direct authority)
Act as the voice of the consumer and brand guardian across all internal stakeholders
Consumer & Market Insights
Own the consumer and category insight agenda, leveraging Nielsen/IRI/SPINS, custom research, retailer data, and brand health trackers
Translate syndicated data and consumer research into actionable strategies for innovation, brand building, and retail execution
Identify category trends, whitespace opportunities, and competitive threats—then build strategies to capitalize or defend
Build and maintain dashboards that track brand performance, category dynamics, and competitive activity
Commission and interpret custom research (concept testing, usage & attitude studies, brand tracking) to de-risk decisions
Team Leadership
Manage, mentor, and develop a Marketing Assistant
Provide leadership to cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment and accountability
WHO YOU ARE Required Qualifications:
5-7 years of CPG marketing or brand management experience (we want someone who understands retail velocity, trade spend, and category dynamics)
Proven track record of leading brand strategy, innovation launches, influencer campaigns, and integrated marketing
Strong analytical skills with experience using syndicated data (Nielsen, IRI, SPINS) to drive decisions
Budget management experience required – you know how to allocate spend and when to pull back or double down
Demonstrated leadership and people management experience (direct reports or leading cross-functional teams)
Exceptional communication, storytelling, and presentation skills
Passion for food, wellness, and building brands with purpose
Preferred Attributes:
MBA preferred but not required if you have equivalent experience
Bilingual (English/Spanish) due to manufacturing partnerships in Latin America
Experience with natural/organic food brands or emerging CPG companies
Large and small company experience—you’ve seen what “good” looks like at scale but can build scrappily
Startup or high-growth environment experience
Digital and social media savvy
Passion for Solely’s mission and product (bonus if you’re already a customer!)
Personality & Work Style:
Strategic thinker with execution excellence: You can craft the vision AND roll up your sleeves to get it done
Consumer-centric: You start with consumer insights and let that guide all decisions — you’re obsessed with understanding the “why” behind behavior
Results-driven: You set ambitious goals and hold yourself accountable to delivering them
Collaborative and influential: You build relationships, manage up, and lead without authority
Adaptable and resilient: You pivot quickly when things change and stay focused on what matters most
Detail-oriented with urgency: You balance speed and quality
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE First 100 Days
You’ve built trust with cross-functional partners by delivering on commitments and being responsive
You’ve taken ownership of the brand plan and identified 2-3 quick wins or optimizations
You’ve established strong relationships with agency partners and set clear expectations around deliverables, timelines, and communication
You’ve reviewed the innovation pipeline and identified opportunities to accelerate, pause, or course-correct based on consumer insights and business priorities
You’ve built rapport with your Marketing Assistant and established a working rhythm
First Year
Brand performance metrics (velocity, market share, household penetration, repeat rate) are trending positively
You’ve successfully launched at least one innovation with measurable retail and consumer success
Your influencer strategy is driving measurable brand awareness and engagement
Marketing ROI has improved, and you’re trusted as the strategic voice of the brand
Your Marketing Assistant is growing under your leadership and taking on more responsibility
Leadership relies on your insights to make strategic decisions about the brand’s future
WHAT WE OFFER Compensation & Benefits:
Base salary: $120,000 – $125,000 (commensurate with experience)
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
Competitive paid parental leave policy—we support families
Why Solely:
Mission-driven work: Join a brand reshaping how the world snacks with radical transparency, no BS, just fruit
High impact: Your work directly influences brand equity, revenue, and consumer loyalty
Growth opportunity: Scale with a fast-growing national brand
Entrepreneurial culture: Own your work, move fast, and see results
Passionate team: Work with people who care deeply about food innovation and sustainability
Learn and grow: You’ll be stretched in the best way
Work Environment:
Hybrid (La Jolla HQ) OR remote in Southern California with bi-monthly travel to La Jolla
Fast-paced startup culture with high expectations and high autonomy
Collaborative team that values diverse perspectives and bold ideas
#J-18808-Ljbffr